Research on the Talent Cultivation Model of an English Cross-border E-commerce Micro-major under the Background of the Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone

Abstract

The Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone has created strong demand for graduates who combine English proficiency, practical cross-border e-commerce skills and local trade knowledge. Private universities in the region struggle to bridge the competency gap between traditional foreign language teaching and real workplace needs. This paper reports a mixed-methods case study of an English cross-border e-commerce micro-major at Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences. Drawing on pre-post competency surveys, semi-structured interviews and analysis of course documents and student project work, it examines how this “English plus cross-border e-commerce” programme was designed, what outcomes it produced and what barriers it faced. Results show the modular curriculum improved students’ business communication and operational skills, yet progress was limited by weak university–industry links, insufficient teacher industry experience and a lack of authentic commercial projects. Building on triple helix theory, this paper proposes practical adjustments to curriculum design, mentor-led teaching, project-based learning and multi-dimensional assessment. The findings offer actionable lessons for foreign language micro-major development at regional private universities serving border trade and free trade zone industries.